Light Rail Round-up: Tram Tributes, Summer Maintenance & Sector Anniversaries | 1st August 2025

This week’s light rail news includes return of the Pride 'Trambow' from Nottingham Express Transit, a fond farewell tribute to Ozzy Osbourne from the West Midlands Metro, summer service changes across Luas, Supertram and NET, and a major contract win for Yellow Rail in Croydon. Plus, a community-led mural lights up Wallsend, a new academic partnership boosts West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit plans, and heritage networks celebrate key milestones at Crich, Beamish and Seaton.

NET marks Notts Pride with timetable changes and the return of the ‘Trambow’

Nottingham Express Transit has announced temporary service changes this Saturday (26 July) to accommodate the annual Notts Pride march, with trams paused between Royal Centre and Old Market Square from 11:20am to 2:30pm. To mark the celebrations, NET has also relaunched its vibrant ‘Trambow’ tram in partnership with Alstom and East Midlands Railway, championing inclusion and visibility for Nottingham’s LGBTQ+ community. The colourful tram will remain in service throughout the summer as a symbol of solidarity and support. NET announces essential overnight maintenance works this August

Nottingham Express Transit has scheduled overnight maintenance works from 4–7 August, with no trams running between Wilkinson Street and The Forest after 10:00pm each evening. Services will resume as normal from 8 August. To minimise disruption, a replacement bus service will run between the two park and ride sites during the closures. Customers are advised to check travel plans in advance and visit NET’s website for full details.

Supertram announces summer engineering works and festival travel plans

Essential improvement works will take place on the Supertram network between 28 July and 15 August, including track replacement along Ridgeway Road and repairs on Park Grange Road.

A revised timetable and dedicated replacement bus service will operate during this period. The investment is part of SYMCA’s £110m programme to upgrade infrastructure and improve long-term reliability. Normal services will operate over the Tramlines Festival weekend, with adjustments in place to help festivalgoers travel safely. Community-led mural transforms Wallsend Metro underpass

Image credit: mark-one87.co.uk Artist Credit: Mark One87 & Toby Heaps

A new community-led mural has been unveiled in Wallsend Metro underpass, created in collaboration with muralist Mark One87, artist Toby Heaps and inspired by workshops with local schools and community groups. The artwork reflects the area’s Roman heritage, shipbuilding past and green spaces, with young people contributing ideas and even helping to paint the piece.

Supported by Nexus and funded through an active travel scheme, the mural is part of North Tyneside Council’s wider regeneration plans for the town. Transport leaders visit Nexus’ Stadler Depot in Gosforth

Nexus welcomed Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander MP, Newcastle MP Catherine McKinnell, and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness to the Stadler Metro depot in Gosforth this week.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Secretary of State to see the new Metro train for the first time and hear more about Nexus’ progress on delivering the fleet, signalling upgrades along with the Metro to Washington extension.

West Midlands Metro pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

Thousands gathered in Birmingham city centre on Thursday, 30 July, to say a final farewell to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne. As part of the tribute, West Midlands Metro positioned the tram named in his honour at the Library stop while the funeral procession passed.

Services between Grand Central and Edgbaston were temporarily suspended to accommodate the event, with trams running from Wolverhampton to Grand Central only. The tribute formed part of a wider city effort, with thanks extended to the Metro team for their role in marking the occasion.

Luas announces Bank Holiday service arrangements

Luas has confirmed its service plans for the upcoming August Bank Holiday weekend. On Monday 4 August 2025, trams on both the Green and Red Lines will operate to Sunday schedules, starting from 7.00am.

Normal Saturday and Sunday service hours will apply on 2 and 3 August. Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead using the TFI Journey Planner or the Luas App for real-time updates. Yellow Rail to overhaul Croydon tram fleet components

As reported by Metro Report International, Yellow Rail has secured a contract to carry out a full overhaul of the bogies and brake systems on London Trams’ 12 Stadler Variotram vehicles.

The work will be delivered at Yellow Rail’s upgraded Litchurch Lane facility in Derby, helping ensure ongoing reliability for the fleet, which has now covered around 960,000 km. Stadler, as the OEM, will supply materials for the £900,000 project under a direct award from London Trams. New academic partnership to support West Yorkshire Mass Transit scheme

Image Credit: West Yorkshire Combined Authority on LinkedIn

A new initiative, Centric (Centre for Transport in Cities), has been launched to support the delivery of the £2.5bn West Yorkshire Mass Transit project. The partnership brings together experts from the University of Huddersfield and University of Leeds with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to provide research-led insights into planning and delivery.

Announced during the UK Light Rail Conference, the collaboration has received national support and aims to shape an integrated, future-ready transport network between Leeds and Bradford, with construction expected to begin in 2028. UKTram Managing Director James Hammett welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to help tackle key challenges facing the light rail sector.

Heritage Celebrating 120 Years of Hastings Trams and a a 125th Glasgow milestone

Crich Tramway Museum volunteer Jim Dignan marks two key anniversaries in UK tramway history. This week marks 120 years since the opening of the Hastings and District Electric Tramway, noted for its use of the unusual Dolter Stud system. Meanwhile, Glasgow 812 celebrates 125 years since entering service in 1900, having now spent more time preserved at Crich than it did operating in Glasgow. Both milestones highlight the enduring legacy of early light rail innovation. Seaton Tramway to celebrate 55th anniversary

Seaton Tramway is gearing up for its 55th Anniversary Gala Weekend on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August 2025. All 12 operational trams will take to the line for a rare, enthusiast-friendly service marking over half a century of electric heritage. Visitors can enjoy behind-the-scenes Depot Tours and a chance to ride every tram in the fleet (subject to availability). The weekend promises a celebration of Seaton’s tramway history and its journey since the first tram set off in 1970.

Beamish Museum named Best UK Attraction 2025

Beamish Museum has been crowned Best UK Attraction at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2025, beating finalists such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Voted for by readers of Group Leisure & Travel Magazine, the awards celebrate outstanding group-friendly destinations and experiences. The museums trams and vintage buses are operate throughout the day on a circular route around the museum, calling at the Entrance, Pockerley, 1900s Town and Foulbridge. UKTram Owners and Authorities group sets collaborative agenda under new leadership

The latest Owners and Authorities Group meeting took place on 15 July 2025 and marked the first session under the new leadership of Chair Chris Hopkinson and Vice-Chair Stuart Lowrie. 

The meeting brought together representatives from across the UK’s light rail networks to identify priorities and set the direction for future discussions. 

Career opportunities Edinburgh Trams career opportunity: Project Engineer

Due to an increased workload in the Projects and Renewals team, an excellent opportunity has become available to permanently join the team in an exciting role to assist in managing and coordinating works around Edinburgh Trams infrastructure in various stages, from concept through design to on-site works. To be included in the next round-up or the Members News section of the UKTram website, please send your press releases, event updates and career opportunities to chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk by Thursday 14th August, 12PM.